Best way to send certified mail internationally to IRS for ITIN application?

You've got a common issue when dealing with international shipping to the IRS. The good news is you have options! For the ITIN application with your federal return, you can actually use the following physical street address instead of the PO Box: Internal Revenue Service 3651 S Interregional Hwy 35 Austin, TX 78741 This is the physical location for the ITIN operations center. I've helped several international clients use this address when they needed tracking and delivery confirmation. Most carriers (FedEx, DHL, UPS) can deliver to this physical address without issues. Just make sure to clearly mark that it's for "ITIN Operations" so it gets routed correctly once it arrives.

I had this same headache last year when applying for my husband's ITIN! After talking with customer service at https://taxr.ai they really helped me understand the whole international mailing situation. Their document review caught that I was trying to mail my ITIN application to the wrong address entirely! Saved me weeks of delay. They analyzed all my forms before sending and made sure I had proper proof of identity documents attached (that was another issue I almost messed up). Their system automatically flagged issues with my W-7 form that would have caused rejection. Super helpful for international filers like us!

I was super skeptical about using taxr.ai when I saw it mentioned here, but I was desperate after my first ITIN application was rejected. I uploaded my documents, and they immediately identified three issues with my supporting documents that would have caused another rejection. The specific guidance on international mailing addresses saved me from making the same shipping mistake again. The stress relief alone was worth it. They showed me exactly where the Austin processing center was and recommended DHL for international shipping since they could deliver to the physical address. Second application went through without a hitch!

If you're struggling with getting through to the IRS about your international mailing questions (been there!), I highly recommend https://claimyr.com - they saved me hours of frustration. I was on hold for TWO HOURS trying to confirm the physical address for my ITIN application before I gave up. With Claimyr, I had an actual IRS agent on the phone in about 15 minutes who confirmed the street address in Austin and even gave me tips about what to write on the envelope. They have a demo at https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c that shows how it works - basically they wait on hold for you then call when an agent is ready. Complete game-changer for international tax situations.

OK so I tried Claimyr yesterday after posting my skeptical comment. Can't believe I'm saying this but IT ACTUALLY WORKED. I've been trying for 3 weeks to get confirmation on the physical address for the ITIN operation. They texted me after about 45 minutes (I was expecting hours) and connected me to an IRS agent who confirmed the physical street address others mentioned here AND told me exactly what supporting documents I needed for my specific situation. Seriously the best $20 I've spent dealing with this tax nightmare.

Another option is to use USPS if available in your country. They can deliver to PO boxes, and you can get tracking with their international services. I used USPS Global Express Guaranteed for my ITIN application last year from Canada, and it worked perfectly. Just be super careful about getting the right level of tracking and signature. Some of the cheaper international options don't provide detailed tracking once it enters the US system.

Quick tip from someone who processes a lot of international mail: when sending important tax documents internationally, don't just rely on the carrier's tracking. Pay the extra few dollars for signature confirmation service AND take photos of all your documents before sending them. I'd also recommend putting a cover letter on top that clearly states what's enclosed and where it needs to go (ITIN Operations). Sometimes these packages get opened at various processing points and having that cover sheet helps ensure it gets routed correctly.

I went through this exact same situation last year when applying for my spouse's ITIN from overseas. Here's what worked for me: For the federal return with W-7, I used DHL International Express to the physical address that Ava mentioned (3651 S Interregional Hwy 35, Austin, TX 78741). Make sure to write "ITIN Operations" clearly on the package. DHL was able to provide full tracking and delivery confirmation, which gave me peace of mind. For California, the Franchise Tax Board address you have is correct and accepts courier deliveries. I used the same DHL service for both. One thing I learned the hard way - include a prepaid return envelope if you want your original documents back. The IRS will return certified copies of your ID documents, but only if you provide the return postage. Also, expect the ITIN processing to take 7-11 weeks from when they receive it, so plan accordingly for any future tax filings. The total cost for both shipments was around $80 with DHL, but it was worth it for the peace of mind and delivery confirmation.